Out of the Closet! Signaling Software Reliability in Secondary PC Markets

S. Hickey and C. Fitzpatrick September 2008

Abstract

This paper focuses on the signaling of software reliability of second hand PCs. Signaling of software reliability is achieved in Microsoft Windows operating systems through the communication of software failure modes contained in system event logs as means of raising consumer confidence in installed software. Extraction of failure modes is accomplished through the use of Window Management Instrumentation (WMI). The provision of event log data in the form of intuitive signals can raise consumer confidence with regard to software quality and can in conjunction with consumer education greatly assist in the remarketing of used systems.